Pharmacology Board Review Questions 5151) Which antibiotic is used cautiously due to its side effects (pseudomembranous colitis, severe GI
upset)?
a) Azithromycin (Zithromax; Z-pak)
b) Clindamycin *
c) Penicillin VK
d) Cephalexin (Keflex)
52) Which of the following is the mode of action of the Tetracyclines?
a) Bacterial cell wall destruction
b) Prevent protein synthesis in the bacterial cell *
c) Interfere with nucleic acid synthesis in the bacterial cell
d) Cause mutations within bacterial DNA
53) Cephalosporins have which of the following modes of action as antibacterials?
a) Interfere with bacterial protein synthesis
b) Affect bacterial cell wall *
c) Interfere with normal biosynthetic pathways in bacteria
54) Which of the following is the most preferable antibiotic for the treatment of susceptible grampositive staphylococcal infections?
a) Tetracycline
b) Clindamycin
c) Ampicillin
d) Cefaclor (Ceclor)
e) Penicilin VK *
55) Which antibiotic is not only effective against most staphylococci, aerobic and anaerobic streptococci,
but is most effective in treating infections due to bacteroides species?
a) Penicillin VK
b) Erythromycin
c) Tetracycline
d) Cephalexin (Keflex)
e) Clindamycin *
56) Which penicillin has extended spectrum of action of antibacterial activity?
a) Penicillin VK
b) Dicloxacillin
c) Amoxicillin *
57) What do all the following penicillin antibiotics have in common?
a) Amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (Augmentin)
b) Ampicillin and sulbactam (Unasyn)
c) Cloxacillin
d) Dicloxcilliln
e) They are all penicillinase resistant penicillins *
58) Which of the following is the drug of choice for treating Candidiasis, a yeast-like fungal infection?
a) Pencillin
b)Erythromycin
c) Nystatin*
d) Chloramphenicol
59) Which antibiotic/antimicrobial is associated with the highest incidence of drug allergy?
a) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
b) Pencillin VK *
c) Clindamycin
d) Metronidazole (Flagyl)
60) Which of the following is classified as an antifungal agent?
a) Bacitracin
b) Amphotericin-B *
c) Polymyxin-B
d) Neomycin
61) Your patient is taking warfarin (Coumadin) as a blood thinner. To reduce the amount of bleeding
during a root planning procedure, the doctor has adjusted the warfarin dose. After the procedure the
dose was adjusted back to the original. He needs an analgesic after root planning and is a recovering
alcoholic. Which pain reliever would be best in this case?
a) Tylenol #3 with codeine
b) Over-the-counter ibuprofen
c) Over-the-counter acetaminophen *
D) Vicodin
62) Upon a medical consult, the doctor wants your patient to discontinue the “blood thinner” drug
known as clopidogrel (Plavix) prior to dental surgery such that normal clotting times will occur. The
number of days of discontinuance of Plavix needed to achieve normal clotting are:
a) Same as aspirin *
b) More days than aspirin
c) Less days than aspirin
63) The following drugs are used to treat what viral disease?
a) Didanosine
b) Zidovudine
c) Ritonavir
d) Indinavir
e) Delavirdine
f) AIDS *
64) The following drugs are used to prevent what medical condition?
a) Estrogen, conjugated / equine (Premarin)
b) Alendronate (Fosamax
c) Raloxifene (Evista)
d) Estrogen, conjugated / equine and medroxyprogesterone (Prempro)
e) Calcitonin (Miacalcin Nasal Spray)
f) Osteoporosis *
65) The following drugs are noted for causeing what prominent oral side effect?
a) Amitriptyline (Elavil)
b) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
c) Atropine
d) Diazepam
e) Xerostomia (dry mouth)*
66) All of the following drugs are useful in treating what medical condition?
a) Pilocarpine (Isopto-Carpine)
b) Latanoprost (Xalatan)
c) Betaxolol (Betoptic)
d) Bimatroprost (Lumigan
e) Glaucoma *
67) All of the following drugs are useful for treating what common medical contition?
a) Prednisone
b) Gold injections
c) Methotrexate
d) Nabumetone (Relafen)
e) Prioxicam (Feldene)
f) Rheumatoid arthritis *
68) the vasoconstrictor epinephrine in local anesthetic injections must be used cautiously in patients
taking which of the antidepressant drugs in order to avoid transient and significant increases in blood
pressure?
a) Tricyclic antidepressants (i.e. Elavil) *
b) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (i.e., Prozac)
c) Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (i.e., Effexor) *
69) Which group of antidepressant drugs has the highest incidence of dry mouth (xerostomia)?
a) Tricyclic antidepressants (i.e., Elavil) *
b) Selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (i.e., Effexor) *
c) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (i.e., Nardil)
70) Name the five major categories of antidepressant drugs and give examples o drugs in each class.
a) Tricyclic antidepressants *
b) Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors *
c) Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors *
d) Second generation miscellaneous *
e) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors *
71) Your patient with a history of breast cancer is undergoing chemotherapy with a drug called cisplatin
(Platinol). What are the expected adverse effects of cisplatin?
a) Nausea and vomiting (75% to 100%; dose-related) *
b) Hair loss *
c) Xerostomia *
d) Changes within the tissues of the oral cavity such as mucosititis *
72) Which of the following analgesics can produce drug dependence and addiction?
a) Aspirin
b) Ibuprofen
c) Codeine *
d) Morphine *
e) Meperidine (Demerol) *
73) Your patient has a history of neuropathic pain. They are currently taking oxycodone (OxyContin),
which is an opiate analgesic. Which of the following are adverse effects of oxycodone?
a) Nausea *
b) Constipation *
c) Peptic ulcers
d) Insomnia
74) Your patient is taking the following medications. Which of the medications are used to reduce the
signs and symptons of rheumatoid arthritis?
a) Amlodipine (Norvasc)
b) Enalapril (Vasotec)
c) Piroxicam (Feldene) *
d) Prednisone *
75) Which of the following agents has anti-inflammatory properties?
a) codeine
b) Acetaminophen
c) Hydrocodone
d) Ibuprofen *
76) Which category of drugs does not affect blood clotting and can be given to patients taking “blood
thinners”?
a) NSAID’s (Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.)
b) Aspirin
c) COX-2 selective inhibitor (Celebrex) *
77) Celecoxib (Celebrex) is a member of which category of drugs?
a) Salicylates
b) Opiates
c) COX -2 selective inhibitors *
d) Non-selective COX inhibitors
e) Steroidal anti-inflammatories
78) Your patient has a history of drug abuse. Which agen could be given (if needed in the treatment
plan) with no liability to cause an addiction?
a) Phenobarital
b) Ibuprofen *
c) Hydrocodone
d) Meperidine
e) Codeine
79) Which of the following non-narcotic analgesics would you most likely use in a patient taking anticoagularnt medication?
a) Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
b) Acetaminophen (Tylenol) *
c) Aspirin
d) Naproxen sodium (Aleve)
80) A fear reaction activates the sympathetic division of the autonomic nervous system to result in:
a) Miosis
b) Bradycardia
c) Hyptertension *
d) Increased salivation
81) The medical uses of a drug having adrenergic agonist actions would include which o the following?
a) Reverse an anaphylactic reaction *
b) Treat hypertension
c) Prevent angina pectoris
d) Reduce anxiety
e) All of the above
82)In dentistry, a cholinergic drug is used to:
a) Produce a dry field for taking impressions
b) Calm an anxious patient
c) Treat dry mouth by inducing salivation *
d) Reduce the chance of infection
83) The following effects result from what type of pharmacological agent: an alpha adrenergic receptor
blocker (alpha blocker) or a beta adrenergic receptor blocker (beta blocker)?
a) Tachycardia
b) Lower blood pressure
c) Vasodilation
d) Orthostatic hypotension
e) Alpha adrenergic blocker (alpha blocker) *
84) Of the amide-type local anesthetics, which is the only one that is metabolized in the bloodstream
rather than the liver?
a) Articaine (Septocaine, Zorcaine) *
b) Mepivacaine (Carbocaine)
c) Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
d) Prilocaine (Citanest)
e) Bupivacaine (Marcaine)
85) Which component of a local anesthetic solution causes allergy?
a) Water
b) Bisulfites
c) Lidocaine
d) Epinephrine (vasoconstrictor) *
86) Nitrous oxide is used as a single agent to produce general anesthesia.
False *
87) Which corticosteroid is administered by inhalation to treat asthma?
a) Hydrocortisone
b) Prednisone
c) Cortisone
d) Fluticasone (Flonase) *
e) Methylprednisolone (Medrol)
88) Insulin zinc suspension, also known as Lente insulin, is considered a long-acting insulin with a
duration of over 24 hours after a single injection.
False *
89) Which term refers to a drug that binds to physiological receptors to result in specific cellular effects
producing a predictable pharmacologic response?
a) Pharmacologic agonist *
b) Pharmacologic antagonist
90) When a drug is administered repeatedly, a higher concentration of the drug occurs than is desired
may be achieved. The effect of this excessive accumulation is known as:
a) Additive effect
b) Synergistic response
c) Cumulative action *
d) Idiosyncrasy
91) Which gastrointestinal drugs reduce the formation of stomach acid by inhibiting the proton pump of
the stomach parietal cells?
a) Ranitidine (Zantac)
b) Cimetidine (Tagamet)
c) Famotidine (Pepcid)
d) Omeprazole (Prilosec)*
e) Lansoprazole (Prevacid) *
92) The most important enzyme systems for the biotransformation of drug molecules are found in:
a) Lungs
b) Liver *
c) Brain
d) Kidneys
e) Gastrointestinal tract
93) Which of the following organs is responsible for excretion of the majority of drugs out of the body?
a) Gastrointestinal tract
b) Salivary glands
c) Lungs
d) Kidneys *
e) Sweat glands
94) Which route of drug administration has the fastest onset time?
a) Oral
b) Intravenous injection *
c) Intramuscular injection
d) Subcutaneous injection
e) Inhalation
f) Topical
g) Patch delivery
95) The class of drugs known as HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, also known as the “statin” drugs, lower
blood cholesterol levels by inhibiting a key enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway in the liver.
*True
96) All of the following conditions are managed by using anticoagulants and anti platelet agents EXCEPT
one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?
a) coronary Artery Disease (CAD)
b) Angina Pectoris (Unstable Angina)
c) Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
d) Stroke
e) Hypertension *
97) Which of the following analgesics may interact with warfarin (Coumadin) to cause unnecessary
bleeding?
a) Acetaminophen
b) Ibuprofen (Motrin; Advil) *
c) Hydrocodone with acetaminophen
d) Aspirin *
98) Which of the following drugs inhibit blood clotting by affecting the coagulation pathway to prevent
fibrin formation?
a) Heparin *
b) Warfarin (Coumadin) *
c) Vitamin K
d) Aspirin
e) Clopidogrel (Plavix)
99) What is the pharmacologic category of the following drugs?
a) Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
b) Phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine)
c) Albuterol (Proventil; Ventolin)
d) Isoproterenol
e) Adrenergic agonists *
100) Write up a sample prescription, illustrating all of the pertinent information that needs to be
included when writing a prescription for a patient.
Dr. John Doe, DDS
11 Any Street
Any City, Any State 00000
(000)555-1212
License #
Federal Drug Registry #
Patient’s Name: ________________________
Patient’s Address: ______________________
Rx:
Age: _______
Date: _______
Amoxicillin 500 mg.tablets
Disp. Four (4) tabs
Sig: Take 4 tabs (2000 mg) 1 hour prior to dental appointment
__________________________________
Substitution permissible ________
Substitution not permissible _______
Number of refills _________
101) Digoxin (a digitalis glycoside) is used to treat congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation /
tachycardias, and cardiogenic shock.
*True